Hattie Louise Turner

Hattie Louise (Williams) Turner passed away on Tuesday, October 7, 2014. Louise, as she was more commonly known as, was the daughter of Samuel and Pearl C. Williams. She was born on December 10, 1928 in Greenwood, MS. She was a very strong-willed, strict and devoted mother who believed in old school discipline. Let it suffice to say that she did not believe in “sparing the rod” when it came to raising her sons. She was known for both her high energy level and superior cooking skills. She was passionate about the importance of education. She grew from being a woman who once picked cotton in the fields of Greenwood as a child to becoming an outstanding educator with both Bachelor and Master’s degrees in education. She taught school at the elementary level at Heavenrich Elementary School, Emerson Elementary School and Edith Bailey Elementary School. Many, many children went to Washington, D.C. and were exposed to the democratic process because of the educational field trips she planned and coordinated each spring of the school year. Other extra-curricular activities included: membership in the NAACP, leadership as a past Girl Scout Leader and she was Past Neighborhood Chairwoman of O.I.C. of the Metro Saginaw Women’s Auxiliary. Louise was also an active member in the following organizations: Mt. Olive Institutional Missionary Baptist Church, Sigma Gamma Rho Sorority, Progressive Women’s Club and the Cordelia Chapter #48, O.E.S. She loved her association with the O.E.S. and rose to prominence within that illustrious organization and was both a well-respected and highly regarded member. Louise is survived by three sons: John T. Turner of Saginaw, MI, Howard (Gloria) Turner of Saginaw, MI, and Willie Turner of Flint, MI. She also leaves to mourn her memory, two sisters, Lillie Bell and Delores Williams; one brother, Leat (Hattie) Williams, all from Chicago, IL; and six grandchildren, Tara Turner, Shaurome McKinney, and Monique Turner from Saginaw, MI, Sean (Senette) Turner of Haines City, FL, Neal (Brandi) Turner of Swansea, IL, and Johnathan Turner from Boston, MA. She is also survived by 10 great-grandchildren, numerous nephews, nieces, other relatives and many, many close friends. Eagles and great leaders have something in common. They don’t flock so you have to find them one at a time. Louise Turner was like an eagle. She flew high and was a great leader, mother, wife and person. The Lord does not make them like her very often so she will be missed by not only her family but also by the multitude of people whose lives she has touched. Goodbye mother! Rest in peace and enjoy being in the presence of your friends and family members who have preceded you and now reside in the majestic house of our Heavenly Father. Funeral service will take place at 11:00 a.m. on Tuesday, October 14, 2014 at Mt. Olive Institutional Missionary Baptist Church, 1114 N. 6th St. Dr. Marvin T. Smith will officiate with interment in Eastlawn Memorial Gardens. Friends may call at the Evans & Browne's Funeral Home, 441 N. Jefferson Ave., on Monday from 2:00 until 8:00 p.m. A service will be conducted at 6:00 p.m by the Bright Star Chapter 22 OES, Sojourner Chapter 40, Cordelia Chapter 48.

Hattie Louise Turner

December 10, 1928 - October 7, 2014